Nordic neighbours diverge over nuclear power

Opinion polls released in Denmark and Sweden this week have shown a growing division in attitudes to nuclear power. In non-nuclear Denmark, the proportion opposed to the technology has risen from 76% to 86% in the past 11 years, Jyllands-Posten newspaper reported yesterday, citing a poll by Sonar. However, in neighbouring Sweden - which is officially committed to phasing out its nuclear generating capacity - opponents are now in the minority, according to the Danish news agency Ritzau. A University of Gothenberg study has found that, whereas in 1986 75% of the population wanted a phase-out, that proportion has fallen to just 44% today. The two countries have been engaged in a long-running row over Sweden's decision to postpone the closure of the second reactor at the Barsebäck nuclear power plant, originally scheduled for next month (EED 04/10/00).

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